Co-op call for green grants

THE chief executive of Co-operative Financial Services is calling on the government to `radically increase' financial assistance to homeowners wanting to install solar panels. David Anderson believes that the government needs to increase the total amount of grants available from £18m to £180m a year.

THE chief executive of Co-operative Financial Services is calling on the government to `radically increase' the financial assistance available to homeowners wanting to install solar panels.

David Anderson believes that the government needs to increase the total amount of grants available from their `Low Carbon Building Programme' from £18m to £180m a year.

"The government used to make grants of up to £15,000 available per household for solar panels, which can cost anything up to £24,000," he said. "But the levels of grants available have now been reduced to £2,500 which, in effect, rules out solar panels for most consumers.

"We need to achieve installation levels which will drive innovation which will then help develop a manufacturing foothold for solar panels.

"Above all, what is needed is a strong climate change law and a determined push by the government to advance this agenda globally."